Best Adventure Travel Company

Not all vacations are created equal, but for active travelers that want an adventure, these companies deliver. From wildlife safaris in Africa and hiking in the Himalayas to cycling tours of Europe and glamping outside U.S. national parks, they represent a wide variety of adventures culled from every corner of the globe. Private tours, small groups and local guides make for an individualized experience.

These 10 adventure travel companies were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

1. MT Sobek

Since 1969 at the base of Mt. Everest, Mountain Travel Sobek has been setting adventurers on once-in-a-lifetime journeys. Small groups and local guides help facilitate a seamless experience, whether hiking in the Himalayas, river rafting in Utah or watching the wildlife in the Galapagos. MT Sobek offers five different activity levels and a range of accommodations, from rustic to luxury, so you can pick the perfect adventure for you.

2. UnCruise

UnCruise Adventures takes passengers to locales like Alaska, Hawaii and the Galapagos without the cruise-ship crowd. Because their ships hold only 22–86 passengers, they're able to explore spots the big ships can't. It's like a friends-and-family getaway with a brand-new crop of friends. Their boats are also equipped with lots of rec tools, like hiking poles, kayaks and binoculars, to help you get the most of your nature adventure.

3. Santa Barbara Adventure Company

Santa Barbara Adventure Company leads bucket-list-worthy guided outdoor experiences with an educational component. Learn from their knowledgeable guides as you set out on a kayak tour, surf lesson or wine tour. Their outdoor excursions are an easy way to get your kids out into nature with no equipment fuss and to explore many beautiful nooks of the American Riviera coastline and Channel Islands National Park.

4. Los Padres Outfitters

Travel along stunning beaches or mountain trails on horseback or mule with Los Padres Outfitters in beautiful Santa Barbara. Their wranglers exhibit skill and patience, and their beautiful horses have friendly dispositions. From easy beach rides to trail rides combined with camping and picnics, Los Padres Outfitters offers a variety of horseback excursions.

5. VBT Bicycling Vacations

VBT Bicycling Vacations lets adventurers travel a region in an up-close, personal way. Led by local, bilingual guides, their multi-day cycling trips explore destinations from New Zealand and South Africa to the Americas. If you'd rather be on your own, many locations have self-guided options. With a variety of cycles, VBT makes two-wheel travel accessible for the whole family—including grandparents—making it a great option for multi-generational trips.

6. Western River Expeditions

Since 1961, Western River Expedition has been making adventure easy. With rafting trips in multiple states, they move rafters though the best parts of the Western national parks with practiced efficiency. The overnight trips also include fun and memorable activities, such as hiking, camping and hummer rides, both before and after rafting.

7. ATV & Jeep Adventures

As the longest-running ATV tour company in St. George, ATV & Jeep Adventures provides access to historic and heritage sites not open to others. If you're down to get dirty, their tours include an awe-inducing combination of sites, including dinosaur tracks, a historic fort and a gypsum mine where kids can "mine" for glitter. Children as young as two can ride as long as you bring along their car seat.

8. Austin Adventures

Whether in U.S. national parks, the Himalayan mountains or African plains, Austin Adventures has been delivering "wow moments" to its adventurers since 1985. Seeking to connect people to the great outdoors, they offer a variety of hiking, biking and safari-style outings across six continents with options for families, solo travelers and adults-only.

9. Backroads

Dedicated to active traveling, Backroads offers a more authentic experience for tourists, immersing them in local cultures and going further than the main city stops. Trip planners and guides organize everything you'll need, including the best routes and hotels. In addition to the cycling trips, they offer active cruises, safaris and culinary adventures.

10. Natural Habitat Adventures

Natural Habitat Adventures, nicknamed Nat Hab, combines epic wildlife-focused adventures with diligent ecological conservation. In 2007, it became the world's first completely carbon-neutral tourism company. The official travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund, Nat Hab takes travelers across the globe to view wildlife, from polar bear tours in Churchill, Canada, to spotting unique creatures in Australia.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Margot Black is a passionate outdoor travel writer whose love for the natural world is contagious. With decades of experience exploring the great outdoors, she is a respected expert in the field of adventure travel. Margot strongly believes in the transformative power of nature and works tirelessly to encourage families to spend more time outdoors together. Her travel writing blends in-depth research with a personal touch, providing readers with an escape to the world's most breathtaking landscapes. Margot's warm, capable and fun-loving demeanor inspires her readers to embark on their own adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime. Read more about her adventures at blackinktravelwriting.com.

Stephanie Vermillion is an adventure travel journalist and photographer with work published in Outside Magazine, National Geographic, AFAR and Travel & Leisure. Follow her on Instagram or via her website, stephanievermillionstudio.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.